The Classics

['Dale]

 

Boonen is up there, with Paolini, Wiggins and Thomas.

 

['Dale]

There's a lone Androni rider on the front as well. Savio will be pleased. As Boonen grabs a drink and relaxes on the bars but back near the rear of the field riders are sprinting to stay in contention.

['Dale]

Cancellara has pushed a man to the front of the bunch as well as the peloton close in on the first climb of the race.

['Dale]

And they've hit it. Trek, Garmin, Androni all have men on the front as Omega drift back slightly and save their strength.

['Dale]

The pace isn't high so once Boonen made sure he was out of trouble he took his men off the front.

['Dale]

They're back on the front again though and the pace is lifted straight away. Puccio has a flat and he'll have to wait for the Team Sky car to come.

['Dale]

 

Already a few riders are being distanced at the back of the bunch as the peloton swing left and back onto the flat, straight roads. The Paterberg is next.

['Dale]

There's no drop in pace though straight away and with 146km to go the gap is at 5'07.

['Dale]

 

Reports in that Dowsett has climbed off.

 

['Dale]

 

Sky though are moving up towards the front of the field. They'll have Knaven in the car and he knows these climbs as good as anyone.

['Dale]

As there's a mechanical for Hoogerland, who is now back and chasing through the team cars.

['Dale]

As Phinney drifts to the back of the break as they take the second climib of the day, the Kortekeer.

['Dale]

Impey had to stop for a mechanical as well but he's back with the break now. Breschel is calling for the team car. It looks like he's snapped his chain.

['Dale]

Omega are driving the field but FDJ are also near the front, perhaps working for Demare today. Can the Frenchman handle the distance and the climbs today?

['Dale]

GO DARYL

 

GO SAGAAAAAN

[tombeej]

Geraint Thomas has already had his obligatory crash. At least he got it out of the way early, and hopefully no more to come.